Four out of top five riders on GC riding SRAM RED Equipped and/or five out of top six!

Maillot Jaune Alberto Contador of SRAM RED equipped Team Astana dominated Thursday's Stage 18 40.5km ITT around Lac d'Annecy with a spectacular win ahead of Olympic TT champion Fabian Cancellara of SRAM RED equipped Saxo Bank and increased his lead in the 2009 Tour De France over second place Andy Schleck of Saxo Bank, while Astana's Lance Armstrong moved back into podium contention in third place overall.

Stage 18 was a 40.5km individual time trial around Lac d'Annecy, a flat to rolling course with one hard, 3.7km, 6% climb up the Côte de Bluffy after 24.5km. Stage 18 was truly be the race of truth at this years Tour as Saxo Bank's SRAM Red equipped Olympic TT champion Fabian Cancellara set the fastest early time. Early on, Cancellara was behind the splits of Ignatiev (Katusha) but powered home over the final 12km for a time of 48'33". This time ended up as fastest almost all day. Several hours after the Swiss time machine finished, a weather front blew through Annecy with wind, rain and even hail, but it blew past quickly. However, the wind on the TT had changed. Earlier on, when Cancellara rode, there was a headwind on the outbound leg and a tailwind on the inbound finishing leg back to Annecy.

Cancellara powers through the 40.5 km course in 48:34, good for second place on the day.

However when the final riders raced today, the wind conditions had changed completely, with a tailwind on the outbound leg and a strong headwind on the inbound finishing leg back to Annecy.

Fränk and Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) were under pressure from Lance Armstrong (Astana), Andreas Klöden (Astana) and Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream). Wiggins had a solid ride to take back some time, as did Kloden, while Armstrong moved up on gc into third. But it was an astonishing ride by Alberto Contador that dominated the day. Fastest at all intermediate time checks, Contador rode his SRAM RED group home 3" ahead of Cancellara to take his second stage win of the 2009 Tour de France. Both Cancellara and Armstrong chose SRAM's 1090 R2C (return to center) shift levers to manage their drivetrain.

Post-race, the information broke about Lance Armstrong's new team. The seven-time Tour champion said in a media release "utilizing the massive media attention that the sport receives has been the perfect vehicle to help spread the LiveStrong message around the world," Armstrong explained. "To be able to compete for an American team comprised of the world’s top cyclists, supported by the best coaches and staff — I couldn’t be happier to partner with RadioShack, a truly iconic American brand." Armstrong also confirmed that he will race in 2010 and promises to return to the Tour de France. He also said he will race the 2010 Amgen Tour of California in May instead of the Giro d'Italia.

On Thursday, Tour race leader Alberto Contador did not want to comment when asked about whether he will race with Armstrong’s new team. "I am concentrated 100 percent on the Tour right now. There are three days left to win," Contador said. "After we get to Paris, we will have time to consider the future."

Friday's 178km Stage 19 from Bourgoin-Jallieu to Aubenas is a transitional stage that heads south towards Provence through the Rhone River valley and the Col de l'Escrinet, a Cat2 14.0km climb that starts with 30km to go could be decisive on what promises to be a hot, sunny day at Le Tour.

Thursday, July 23
Stage 17 / Annecy-Annecy ITT / 40.5km
1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana - SRAM RED 48'31"
2. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Saxo Bank - SRAM RED @ :03"
4. Gustav Erik Larsson (Swe) Saxo Bank - SRAM RED @ :32"
8. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Agritubel - SRAM RED @ :45"
9. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana - SRAM RED @ :53" (SRAM RED)
16. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana - SRAM RED @ 1'29" (SRAM RED)

General Classification-Thursday, July 23
2009 Tour de France / General Classification After Stage 18
1. Alberto Contador (Astana - SRAM RED ) 73h15'39"
2. Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank - SRAM RED ) @ 4'11"
3. Lance Armstrong (Astana - SRAM RED ) @ 5'25"
5. Andréas Kloden (Astana - SRAM RED ) @ 5'38"
6. Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank - SRAM RED ) @ 5'59"